Page 29

HOLT

I lean against the doorway, watching her.

“I thought you were only gonna work for an hour?”

Looking up from her laptop, she smiles. Stretching her arms high above her head, she flops backward on the bed. “Well, I was. But you should see the number of applicants we have. I can’t believe there’s so many people.” Her eyes widen. “These resumes are crazy. I mean, these people are legit. Like Washington, DC-politician-people legit.”

I snort. “I think the last thing The Hill Family Charities needs is a Washington, DC, politician. Half of them were on the news crucifying me a few short months ago.”

She blinks, frowning. “I know.”

“Well, pick out the ones you like the best and set up interviews with us and Rob,” I say, talking about the lawyer we hired a few weeks ago. He’ll represent both the Foundation and us, personally.

“Okay.”

“But for now,” I draw out my words, “take a break and come outside.”

She sits up and starts typing on the computer again. “I will in a minute. I just wanna finish this up.”

I swear this woman is going to kill me before the end of the night.

Clearing my throat, I wait until she glances up, before lifting my arm and slowly spinning my ballcap around backward.

Her eyes devour me, nibbling on my skin and picking the meat from my bones. She purses her lips in thought. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

“Maybe,” I tease.

She pouts. “You realize there’s nothing I can do to seduce you back. I’m bigger than an eighteen-wheeler.”

I roll my eyes. “First of all, you’re not big. In fact, I plan on shoving food in your mouth every chance I get these last few weeks because I don’t want a skinny noodle for a child. Second of all, everything you do seduces me.”

She crosses her eyes and makes buck teeth. “Everything?” she asks with a lisp.

Laughing, I close the lid of her laptop and grab her hand, pulling her off the bed. “Everything. Now, come on.”

The September night actually has a small chill in it, which is completely unexpected for this time of year. Hopefully, it will keep the mosquitoes away. Stepping off the porch, she wraps her hands around my bicep and kisses my shoulder. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” From here, she can’t see the far side of the barn. I’m so excited I nearly toss her over my shoulder and sprint. Of course, that would ruin the natural element of the surprise, so I patiently wait—like a good boy. As soon as she sees everything, she gasps. Immediately, she bounces up and down on her toes. “Movie night?”

I repeat her words back to her. “Movie night.”

Just like when she was growing up.

The projector is set up, waiting to paint the movie all over the side of the barn. The chairs are draped with blankets and pillows, to make things more comfortable. The pop-up table is covered with snacks and candy.

In fact, Granny is standing there chomping on M&Ms so loudly, she sounds like a horse.

Merit’s smile is so wide I worry she might break her jaw. “What movie are we watching?”

Nodding to Deke, he turns on the system, and the home screen of the DVD flashes, coloring the night sky.

“ White Christmas ,” she whispers.

I nuzzle against her ear. “Well, it’s your favorite, isn’t it?”

She nods, not saying anything.

I study her face, instantly knowing what she’s thinking. “You haven’t watched it, have you? I mean, since I was arrested. We were gonna watch it that day and then… our lives were ripped out from underneath us.”

Swallowing, she puts on a brave face. “Don’t you ever get tired of reading my mind?” she says with a devoted smile.

I bend down and smell her hair. “Never.”

My dad’s voice immediately catches Merit off guard. “Is the movie invitation open to anyone?” Right on cue, he, Mom, Raylee, and Ella come into view, walking the worn trail between the house and the barn.

Merit yelps in excitement. “What! Of course!” She races up and wraps my mom in a hug. “What are y’all doing here?”

She shrugs, playing coy. “What can I say? I’ve always loved this movie.”

Merit cranes her neck to see if anyone else is hiding. “Where are the kids?”

“Will and Cullen are working at the bar, so we left four children in the very capable hands of Crutch and Ridge,” Raylee says.

“And now that Hardy can stand on his own, he’s discovered the joy of throwing everything on the ground. Breakable or not.” Ella’s stiff shoulders relax, and she bites back a smile. “Ry’s already called three times to apologize for broken things.”

Eager to get this damn show on the road, I usher everyone to their seats, and we start the movie.

We’re only five minutes in before I call it quits.

I’m about to fucking explode.

Nerves fire in my stomach like a Molotov cocktail. My hands are twitching, and my leg keeps bouncing up and down like I’m hooked to an electric fence. This is way worse than the Super Bowl.

Way, way worse.

And so much fucking better. The best. The very best.

“Shit. I’m dying.” I growl, falling to my knees in front of Merit.

Her brow furrows. “Holt?”

From my periphery, I can see everyone else stand up. I take a split second to pray that Granny doesn’t choke on the Skittles she’s now two-fisting. Raylee fumbles with her cell phone, trying to hit the record button without missing anything.

My hands snake up the length of her tanned and toned legs. “Merit, I can’t wait any longer. I can’t wait another minute, another second without knowing that you’re mine. Forever.”

She does her best to keep her eyes locked on mine, but her gaze keeps flittering back to the movie playing on the barn.

Like a lot.

I squeeze her thighs. “Uh, Mer, not to interrupt, but I’m kinda in the middle of something.”

Her pink lips pout. “You should really pause the movie. The beginning is where you get all the backstory. You’ll miss it.”

And…that’s My Merit.

Laughing, I nod to Deke. “Could someone please stop the movie for my girl?”

Satisfied with the frozen picture, her eyes meander back to me. She immediately blushes and looks down at the ground. “Sorry.”

I lift her chin. “No, you’re not,” I say, teasing her with a wink.

Giggling, she snorts.

In that moment, I’m so overcome with love for her, I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to function in life. It feels like the only job I should have in this world is loving her. And our son. And keeping them safe.

I slide my hand across her flushed cheek and tangle it in her hair. “Tell me.”

“I love you.”

“I worried I’d never hear those words again.” I shake my head. “I don’t deserve your love, Merit. But I promise that I’ll do my best every single day of our lives to earn it.” I scoot closer, positioning myself between her legs. “I promise to never leave. I’ll never walk out. I’ll never give up on us. Never again. I promise to love you and provide for you. I’ll support you and cherish you. I want all of your dreams to come true. There’s not anything in this world you can’t do. You’re the smartest, kindest, bravest woman I know.”

I wipe a tear from her face. “I promise to be the best father. I promise to love our son and give you more babies. I promise to protect this farm and the legacy that your family has built.

“I promise to watch old movies and eat blueberry pancakes.” I shrug, “And hopefully lots of steak once you can smell it again without throwing up.”

She laughs and more tears fall. “I promise to make fun of you every time you scrunch your nose at another woman. I promise to laugh with you, learn with you, and grow with you. I promise to never change you, never mold you, never break you.”

I lean forward, kissing her lips. She tastes like salt and popcorn. “I promise to worship you and make love to you and make you feel like the most beautiful woman on the face of this Earth.

“I wanna build our life and grow old. And when I take my last breath, I want you by my side, holding my hand.”

Taking a deep breath, I pull the ring box from my pocket. I flip the lid, presenting her with the diamond and ruby ring. “Merit Eliza Browning, will you marry me?”